Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson had a more enjoyable second season in the NBA.
“I’d say this year, I guess the game kind of slowed down,” Henderson said. “Things like that only come from playing and experiencing the NBA in general … I think I had more fun.”
Henderson, the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, saw a slight dip in points per game from 14.0 as a rookie to 12.7. More importantly, his shooting numbers improved.
This season, Henderson shot 41.9% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range after shooting 38.5% and 32.5% as a rookie.
He improved while playing more meaningful games during a play-in chase. Last year, he found his stride toward the end of the season when the team was in tank mode.
“I thought Scoot took a step this year,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “It was up and down a little bit, but I thought it was more up than anything. I thought he got a lot of confidence in his jump shot this year, and we all have a ton of confidence in it. So, that’s one thing that I think now he can kind of move on to other things.”
Henderson said he has a lot on his plate to work on, including improving technique in all areas, becoming a better shot creator for himself and teammates, and finishing at the rim left-handed, to name a handful.
Developing the fine points of his game, Henderson said, is necessary for him to make another leap next season.
“The greats are kind of unique in their own way,” he said.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson scores in traffic during an NBA game against the New York Knicks at Moda Center on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian
Henderson’s season included clear development followed by some regression.
From the start of the season through Jan. 11, he shot 39.9% from the field and 29.9% from three-point range, averaging 10.9 points and 5.0 assists with 2.7 turnovers in 25.7 minutes.
Starting on Jan. 14 with a career-high 39 points during a loss at home to the Brooklyn Nets, Henderson put together the best stretch of his young career.
In 20 games through Feb. 26, Henderson shot 47.7% from the field, 44.5% from beyond the arc (49 of 110), while averaging 15.1 points and 5.5 assists with 2.5 turnovers in 27.7 minutes.
Then his shooting struggles returned. Over Henderson’s final 15 games, he shot 38.2% from the field, 30% from three, averaging 13.1 points and 4.7 assists with 2.9 turnovers in 27.3 minutes.
“I think I wasn’t being as aggressive as I was,” Henderson said of his late struggles. “I think that’s my whole thing. The more aggressive I am, the better I play on both sides of the ball. The more aggressive I am on defense, the basketball gods always kind of help you out there. As long as you’re playing the game right.”
Henderson must also develop into a strong leader to become an elite point guard. He took steps in that area this season.
“Scoot will put you in your place and let you know you’re getting old,” center Deandre Ayton joked.
Henderson missed the final eight games after entering concussion protocol, but not before, like the team, establishing new benchmarks to improve upon.
The Blazers won 10 of 11 midway through the season to go 23-18 in the second half and finished 36-46.
“I kind of liked seeing a little bit of who we are,” Henderson said. “We kind of got our swag there, and when we get our swag like that, it’s tough to stop.”
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)